I know the title sounds harsh. However this is a serious question. Are Christian Hip Hop Artists limiting themselves? I was talking to a friend of mine recently who is a dope rapper and this idea / question came to mind. In the past three years it seems that appealing to the music “Industry” has become a major focus of sound and message. Ever since Sway of MTV came to the Texas Holy Hip Hop Achievement Awards and said “we shouldn’t focus on seeking Industry approval.” It seems people may have missed the warning.It seems that the focus has become more on making “Radio friendly” singles and having “approved” messages, artist seeking approval from key pastors or leaders and coat-tailing to get approval and attention.
The battle between Christian rappers versus the Industry heavy hitters seemed to be a moment of intrigue. However the main exponents have moved away from that dimension. Attacking the evils head on is dope and shows guts. I’m all for spiritual warfare and engaging people. I personally liked when KJ came out with “Dear Slim. We should be social and spiritually engaged.
Whatever happened to the distinct groups challenging the system? I’m all for unity and it seems like there’s a lot more unity. That’s good and necessary. I’m really missing the challenging messages and groups. I mean I really liked Cross Movement and Tunnels Rats back when CM was focused on preaching to the Church and when TRz where battling the whole world. I love CM’s “Holy Culture” and LPG’s “The Gadfly” at the same time.” I’m saying I’ve always liked both aspects of our culture. Not too say I want to see that again but where’s the culture challenging clash of titans. It’s never been an either or for me its always been like Dr MLK Jr said its “Both And.” They both speak to me about standing out for Christ and making an impact in culture just in different and necessary ways.
I’m a reformer by heart I like to be a part of revolution. Christian Hip Hop has been getting better sound and production-wise. These things are essential yet I miss the challenging times of our earlier days. Now that may have only been for the birthing phase and we may have grown up. I miss it a lot and with the absence of any real challenge it seems lackluster at times. I wonder have we lost something or is there something we’re missing. I believe this is something we should ask ourselves. Where are the radicals who are willing to challenge the status quo? If you’re out there please stand up and shout at us.
I understand growing up, getting married and having a family. Life changes you. Some go from being the theological rapper to the “I can minister to secular people” rapper. Some street rappers turn bible thumpers. Change and progress is good. It’s better than a monolithic experience. We are all multifaceted we have many components to our lives. For example work, family, friends, church and recreation. We all work at different places, have unique families and friends, diverse Churches and find fun in variety of ways. Our music should reflect our diversity and personality.
I’m little tired of just listening to good clean music that is a “positive” alternative to secular music. I want a challenge. I don’t want just a clean version of worldly music. I want spiritual and religious music with faith in it deeper than some seeker friendly fluff. With the increased focus on an “Industry Ready” sound, on approved messages and images and with the focus on reaching the “mainstream” audience’s have people lost their unique sound? The focus should be on standing out, making a difference and impacting culture. Not just approved messages and sounds that are equivalent to secular standards.
The gospel is revolutionary and believers should stand out. I read Dr Michael Brown’s book “Revolution: The Call to Holy War” and it describes key elements to my nature, namely the need to stand out for Yeshua in radical obedience to His word. That book is powerful if you get a chance you should read it.
I want to see another Jesus Revolution another Revival Generation. Were are the Big Tent Revival Meeting and the Prayer meetings in Christian Hip Hop? Honestly, where are the bible study groups and outreach programs among Christian Rappers? Where are the evangelist’s, street ministers and missionaries in Christian Rap? And I don’t mean lyrically on record. Where is the life changing community transformation in Christian Hip Hop? Our faith and practice should make us stand out and mark us as different and unique. That should be the attraction to us not just that we’re a safe alternative for the world. Honestly where is the spiritual dimension in Christian Hip Hop. There has been less than a handful of worship music projects in Gospel Rap and even less outreach projects aimed at winning souls.
I’ve made the point in the past that the Mixtape can be used as a tract much like “Fire on the Alter” makes mix CD‘s of worship, revival preaching and repentance to pass out as free tracts. Honestly as of yet I haven’t seen many actually try to do that. They few that have tried needed a lot of work toward being spiritual impactful. If you get a chance download some of the Worship-Preaching mixes from Fire on the Altar to see how dynamic the blend of worship and fiery preaching can be. Given preaching and worship go hand and hand. I really wish there was more of a prophetic and intercessory influence in gospel rap but I guess that’s the Charismatic in me. Not even wants or would appreciate that dimension. I for one would.
A while back I called for an increased focus on more adult, grown up and socially responsible lyrics. I saw and still see the need to make music that speaks to young adults and the gospel music crowd. I also advocated more activism in Social Justice and missions. And honestly in the past three to four years since there has been an increase in conscious dialogue as well as involvement with missions’ projects to Africa and elsewhere. That is good and necessary and we need more of that.
The real question for me is where is the next new major mission focus for Gospel Hip Hop. I went to bible school to study to be a Pastor, have been a youth pastor, young adult leader, teacher and bible study leader so maybe my focus and passion is different. I see the mission of the church and priesthood of all believers as vital and crucial keys to Yeshua’s incarnational ministry through us. I don’t see anyone as not having a ministry. Even working your secular job to pay bills includes ministry opportunities to co-workers and clients as you exemplify Messiahs nature in your life and communication.
We are to be missionaries to the culture’s we live, work and minister in at time. In my opinion the applications of the seeker friendly “socially” acceptable gospel has watered down the challenging message of repent and turn from your false gods and worship the True and Living God. I miss the passion of the early years of Christian Rap. Zeal without knowledge can destroy but passion and wisdom can be as fuel to the fire. Can we bring back that passion or is there a new work of God in our midst on the horizon?
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- Who Am I? And What Have I Done?… You Ask? (My Updated Biography) (paradoxparables.wordpress.com)
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christianity is a gimmick
Why would you say that? Christianity is a religion of faith based in the Crucifixion of Yeshua.
bc I am an atheist. I’ve studied the religion as well as practiced. Jesus was a great man but no “god.” i’m amazed how little research christians do prior to dedicating their lives to it
Really, wow! Assumptions are bad. If you read this blog you will find many things discussion on comparative religion, history, even discussion of aliens and dinosaurs. You may believe that “christians” do little research before committing to it. That is false I know for in my case. I spent a lot of time studying different religions, going to the library and checking out books on many topics of religion and different religions. Much of what I’ve found I’ve posted here. You can search and find related topics on a host of issues. I studied for years and continue to. Its is not a healthy intellectual excersize to assume and lump a whole group of people into one category.
Its good you atleast acknowledge Yeshua as a great man, which He was and very much more, a prophet, a rabbi, and yes, G-d. But as you hold that in contention there are other points that matter.
For the issue of Sin, that all religion accept and deal with, thus the need for said religions. Only one removes sin completely without a work of your own except confession and believing. Yeshua did all the work.
Whether you accept that as true. Academically Yeshua is a historically accepted person. And for a majority the people and places in the bible actually existed when and where they bible said they existed. Archeology has proven that to be true.
You may as some do question the validity of the claims of the writers and thats something you should consider and even pray even if you don’t believe in G-d He still believes in and love you.
There are a few good books from Lawyers and Scientist who started out to disprove G-d and Messiah and in the end they put their faith in Him because the evidence for Him and what He did is overwhelming. Of course there are dissenter, people who like to debate and offer conjecture. This doesn’t diminish the historical nature of the bible and the people in it. It just puts the people who debate it in a different light.
Did you know that Newton wrote the Law’s he did to INTENTIONAL DISPROVE evolution? He did, Newton was a Theist. He believed in G-d as creator.
Do you believe in the “Law of Gravity”? Of course you do you’re not floating into outer space.
Do you believe in the “Law of Inertia”? Of course you do because when you push the gas petal on your car you want it to move and when you hit the break you want it to stop.
Do you believe in the “Law of Conservation of Mater”? That no mater is created only that mater may reconstitute itself or be turned into something else?
Do you believe in the “Law of Theromo-Dynamics”? That all things are decaying or in a state of decay over time not evolving.
When you look at the Law of Inertia it states that for something to move something must move it, for something to stop something must stop it. Correct? If thats the case who started stiring the big pot before the big bang? And if the big bang stopped who stopped it? Someone or something had to.
If macro evolution happened why is there no proof it is still happening? None of the supposed missing links have been found. There is only proof for micro evolution or adaptation, in essence survival of the fittest, the strong live the week die but no proof of species change, just theory.
I put my faith in a historical book and historical people and the G-d of those historical people in that historical book.
Those who reject that put their faith in a “theory” thats great and all but “theories” don’t hold up against the Laws of Physics and Nature.
Unproven and dearly held “Theories” are nice bed time stories but nothing to put you trust and faith in.
You put your faith in your next breath but if all oxygen was taken from you that breath would be gone in an instance. you put your faith in the love you have for people for parents and loves ones but what if that was taken in a moment?
We were made in the image of G-d with a body, soul and a spiritual nature. We seek to feed out body, engage or soul and have an inate desire to explore spirituality. All may disagree to agree or agree to disagree on different tenents but all have a desire in us from our creator for such intangible things as love, hope, friendship, connection. All intangible things that a primordial slug cant give you.
Yeshua whether you believe Him to be Prophet, G-d or man, died for the sins of the world fulfilling the prophecies from the Tanak and fulfilling the requirements of Torah. Whether you accept or reject Him while and before we we’re yet in sin He died for us because He loves us.
If your missing, love, friendship or community and in need of some unconditional love. He has that for you. Seek Him with all your heart and He will be found by you.
Before man existed on this planet in the Age of the Dinosaurs G-d was there, whether you believe there are beings from other planets who are or have not been hear, the Creator of all is every where.
The finger prints of G-d are everywhere from the Swiss Alps, to beautiful Sun Beaches. From mountain to valley from sunrise to sunset.
There is order in this world. We exist in a symbiotic sphere in which we need the things here and the things here need us. The air we breathe out feeds the leafs, the air the leaves breathe out feed us. The water on the ground evaporates and returns to water the grass. Many plants and bird species need each other to exist. We all need each other in one way or another.
Due to mans neglect and mismanagement we have seen a destruction and delcine of good things in nature and must preserve and restore. Adonai gave us charge over the works of His hand and manking has been unfaithful and scroupulous destroying the good that G-d made.
You may not believe in Elohim, Adonai, HaShem or Yeshua, or whatever name upon which people may confer upon G-d. But He believes in you other wise you would not exist.
I’m sure as an “Athiest” you agree to disagree. Fine look at the merits of some of the points and consider the possibility.
And how about this pray a prayer not of faith but a question. Ask G-d a question and don’t let anyone person answer you. Wait until you get your answer whether you get an answer or not go on about your life until you do. Then see what happens. I know this “Let G-d be true and every man a liar.” G-d is faithful to watch over His word to perform it. He is even faithful to the faithless. Yes those who don’t believe in Him He sustains cares for and loves without precondition and you don’t have to love Him back to enjoy food, health, intelligent, life and thought. All you have to do is enjoy the free gifts of live, love and any perfect and good gift. Because all good and perfect gifts come from The L-RD.
I’m sure one little response can’t persuade you to believe as I but consider this. Not all Christian’s are unstudied and unlearned. Not all Christians have come to faith by some blind raptureous preaching repent before you die. Some came to faith because G-d healed them, spoke to them and more importantly many came to them because they studied things out and choose to.
Adonai says “Come let US REASON TOGETHER.” That is what He wants to do with you. Walk with you and talk with you in the cool of the day. Breathe a prayer. There is nothing to fear if you don’t believe in Him and He doesn’t exist nothing will happen. If you don’t believe in Him and something does happen because He does exist it is because He is faithful even to the faithless.
In Messiah there is good news, healing and love.
In “Christianity” and “Churchianity” and Religion you will find hypocrites and pharisee’s but practitioners of religion don’t always know the author of their religion. The beauty of the “Christian” experience is a its a life long journey of discover. Sure there are road bumps and people who do things that they should but in any religion that happens.
The only true detractors are choices. Do not blame others for choices you make. Take responsibility and seek forgiveness and love.
Adonai promise’s peace and everlating life.
You may say hogwash. Okay fine.
There are things that have been proven in science. There are “After-Death” experience medically recorded events were people come back from the dead and they all tell similar stories. “Coincidence”? I say no, that many and that consistent it can not be a coincidence.
Even in death its been studied that there is a weight to your soul. Or more simple at death there is an intangible causation of change in weight upon one’s death and the amount of weight lost has been measured. You can disagree with the weight of the soul. Fine. You can disagree with near death of after life experience fine.
But here is a simple challenge. If you die do you know what happens. No, none of us do. Not even those of us who believe in the after life. We are simply seeking to be prepared the best we can.
Look at it like fire insurance which you buy in case there is a fire to recover what is lost, correct? Faith is an assurance that the one we love, Adonai, G-d and Messiah Yeshua are going to accept us into heaven because we have become apart of His family and will dwell in His house and tents for eternity. If we are wrong we have lived a good life and simply die.
However if are right those who disagree and reject the gift of love and salvation don’t have the key to get in the door. They go to the place all souls go that are lost. Making a choice now protects you. As long as you live you have freewill to choose.
Choose this day, or any day you choose whom you shall serve. Yourself, other, global alagarchies, secret societies, man, politics, science… people believe things all the time.
What do you believe? Do you believe in child safety laws? Do you believe in fair labor laws? Those are social issues with moral implications.
Adonai-Yeshua have laid out the basis of moral code and law in scripture. We have been shown by G-d whats right and wrong.
The choice to do good and live justly is a moral choice. Do you choose to be a responsible citizen who respects others and seeks to do good then you are on a moral path. Morality is defined by Adonai. You may choose some precepts of morality because of their good for you. He choose you out of simple love.
May you be blessed in the Shalom of HaShem and be accepted into His Mishpacha (Family) based on your own journey and choice at a time of your choosing.